Apparatus for strapping packages



Marfih 1966 L. w. CHUNDELAK, JR 3,241,287

APPARATUS FOR STRAPPING PACKAGES Filed Aug. 14, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1N i fi LouisWChundeIakJn N W I I INVENTOR.

g 'rW' m'" Q In ru BY CD@M gen-b March 22, 1966 w. CHUNDELAK, JR3,241,287

APPARATUS FOR STRAPPING PACKAGES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 14, 1962LouisWCh undeIaIgJr:

INVENTOR.

March 1966 L. w. CHUNDELAK, JR 3,241,237

APPARATUS FOR STRAPPING PACKAGES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 14, 1962 ll I P 34 LouisWCl-zunc/ebk-Jn IN VEN TOR.

BY @ZJLQQJQW March 22, 1966 w, (:HUNDELAK, JR I 3,241,287

APPARATUS FOR STRAPPING PACKAGES Filed Aug. 14, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

LouiSWChundelakJr.

INVENTOR.

i 4. BY @QQ@@M March 22, 1966 w, CHUNDELAK, JR 3,241,287

APPARATUS FOR STRAPPING PACKAGES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 14, 1962Fig LouisWChundelak,Jn

INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,241,287 APPARATUS FOR STRAPPING PACKAGES Louis W.Chuudelak, Jr., 3114 NE. Oregon St., Portland, Oreg. Filed Aug. 14,1962, Ser. No. 216,926 7 Claims. (Cl. 53-128) This invention relates tothe strapping of packages, bundles and other articles with encirclingbands of metal, and more particularly to apparatus for positioning edgeprotector pads at the edges of an article in the plane of an encirclingstrap preliminary to strapping.

The art of packaging articles of manufacture has developed to includemany articles of heavy and bulky nature which require reinforcement byencircling bands of steel or other suitable material. Because of thereinforcement requirement, such bands become tightened to the extentthat their constricting pressures collapse or crush the article at theedges. This occurs, for example, in the packaging of stacks of veneers,plywoods, hardboards, and other products, resulting in downgrading ordestruction of the products for their intended purpose. Accordingly, itis a general practice to interpose edge protector pads between the edgesof such packages and the strap to protect the edges from damage.

The application of such protective pads has been made heretofore byhand, that is, by manually positioning and holding a plurality of padsone at each edge of the package, until the strap has been tightenedsufficiently to hold the pads in place. It will be apparent that such anoperation obviously is economically disadvantageous, because the timeconsuming procedure requires at least two operators to position and holdthe pad-s and a third to operate the strapping machine. Moreover, withthe high speed strapping machines presently in use the op eration isquite hazardous to those holding the pads. Further, because of theslowness with which the pads are positioned manually, much of theadvantage of high speed, automatic or semi-automatic strapping isnullified.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide apparatusby which edge protector pads may be positioned rapidly and precisely atthe edges of a package in the plane of an encircling strap, preliminaryto application of the strap.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision ofapparatus by which edge projector pads may be applied automatically tothe edges of packages of varying dimensions.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide apparatusof the class described which is adapted for use with variouscommercially available automatic and semi-automatic strapping machines.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide anovel edge protector pad adapted for use with the aforementionedpositioning apparatus.

A still further important object of this invention is the provision ofapparatus of the class described which is of relatively simplifiedconstruction for economical manufacture and which is capable ofcontinued operation with a minimum of maintenance and repair.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention willappear from the following detailed de scription, taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary foreshortened end elevation showing mounted on aconventional strapping machine a protector positioning apparatusembodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary foreshortened view, partly in section, of theleft hand fragment of FIG. 1, disclosing further structural details, thecomponents being shown in the bolts 30.

3,241,287 Patented Mar. 22, 1966 solid lines in fully retracted positionand in dash lines in an intermediate position of extension;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the arrangement of componentsin the fully extended position determined by the configuration of apackage to be strapped;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary foreshortened sectional view taken along theline 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG.2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of FIG.3;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an edge protector pad em bodying features ofthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation showing a plurality of the edge protectorpads of FIG. 7 interconnected in a stack; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are fragmentary end elevations showing modified forms ofedge protector pads and associated supports, adaptable for use in theapparatus of the present invention.

Referring primarily to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the automatic strappingmachine illustrated therein includes a base frame 10 which supports oneor more strapping supply spools 12 which is threaded through a feedingmechanism 14 driven by the motor 16. A strapping loop guide frame 18also is supported on the main frame. The guide frame forms a centralopening for the passage of a package 20 therethrough for strapping. Thepackage is supported upon longitudinally spaced live or idle rolls 22which extend through the central opening.

The guide frame is provided with an annular groove 24 (FIG. 4) whichguides metal strapping from the feeder 14 counterclockwise around thecentral opening, the terminal end of the strap being brought back tounderlap the strapping adjacent the feeder where the lapped sections ofthe strapping are joined together by a sealing clip.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the edge protectorpositioning apparatus of the present invention is adapted to beintegrated with the strapping machine, as an attachment thereto. Theapparatus includes the pair of vertical frame members 26, 28 mounted onthe outboard and inboard vertical sections, respectively, of thestrapping guide frame 18, as by means of In the event the verticalsection-s of the strapping guide frame are not parallel to the guidegroove 24, spacers 32 may be interposed between. the frame sections inorder that the frame members 26, 28 may be made parallel to the guidegroove.

The vertical frames are provided at their opposite ends With hollowmounting blocks which removably support the opposite ends of thevertically spaced, horizontal guide rods 34, 36. These are secured tothe blocks by such means as the set screws 38. The horizontal guide rodssupport substantially identical outboard and inboard protectorpositioning assemblies which function to position edge protector pads atthe bottom and top edges of the outboard and inboard sides, respecively,of a package. Accordingly, the following description will relate to theoutboard assembly, and the same structural components for the inboardassembly will be identified by like reference numerals but distinguishedby means of the prime superscript.

A carriage member 40 is mounted at its top and bottom ends on thehorzontal guide rods 34, 36 for sliding movement relative thereto. Thecarriage supports a pair of vertically elongated hoppers 42 and 44 eachadapted to carry a supply of edge protector pads. The outer hopper 42terminates at its lower end adjacent the lower horizontal guide rod34,and the inner hopper 44 terminates at its lower end adjacent the upperhorizontal guide rod 36.

The lower end of the outer hopper 42 and carriage 40 supports a fluidoperated cylinder 46, the piston rod 48 of which supports the elongatedW-shaped feed arm 50. The arm reciproca tes through aligned slots 52adjacent the bottom of the end walls of the hopper 42, and on theforward stroke thereof it pushes the bottomrnost edge protector pad 54from the hopper for engagement by a pad support, as follows:

Referring first to FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings, the protector padillustrated therein is formed of a synthetic thermoplastic resin,preferably by injection molding. The body is formed in a generally Lshape with the inner surfaces converging to an apex which forms anincluded angle of 90. The outer surface may be of any generalconfiguration, btu is preferred that the thickness of the body begreater at points displaced on opposite sides of the apex than at theapex, in order that the maximum pressure exerted by the strapping bedisplaced to opposite sides of the apex.

Projecting ribs 56 extend in the longitudinal direction of the pad atopposite sides of the apex, diverging outward with respect to eachother. Complementary grooves 58 are formed in the inner surface of thebody at opposite sides of the apex, and these grooves are dimensioned toreceive the projecting ribs of a second pad. Accordingly a plurality ofpads may be connected together in a long stack, by snapping theprojecting ribs of one pad into the complementary grooves of an adjacentpad. Alternatively, the interconnection may be made by sliding theprojecting ribs 56 of one pad longitudinally through the complementarygrooves 58 of an adjacent pad.

Detachment of the lowermost pad of the stack contained within the hopperis effected by the feed arm 50 by sliding the projecting ribs throughthe grooves of the overlying pad. As the lowermost pad is ejected fromthe hopper, its leading end passes between downwardly projecting,laterally spaced resilient clips 60 which are mounted upon the oppositesides of a clip head 62. The projecting ends of the clips are turnedinward to engage under the outwardly diverging ribs 56 on a pad, wherebyto secure the latter between the clips. As best illustrated in FIG. 4,the ejector arm 50 is extended forwardly to a position immediatelyadjacent the clips, whereby the pad projects a substantial distancebeyond the clips, for purposes explained more fully hereinafter.

The clip support head 62 is mounted pivotally, by means of the pin 64,on the offset end of the support arm 66. The opposite end of this arm ismounted upon the projecting end of the piston rod 68 associated with thefluid cylinder 70 supported by the carriage 40. A guide rod 72projecting from the arm 66 through a guide opening in the carriage,maintains the arm against rotation, but permits the arm to move withextension and retraction of the piston rod.

A coil spring 74, mounted on the pivot pin 64, engages at its oppositefree ends the clip support head 62 and the head support arm 66,respectively. The spring is arranged to urge the head pivotally in thedirection of the arrows 76 in FIG. 2, as explained in detailhereinafter. However, in the position of full retraction of the head andarm, as indicated by the solid lines, the head 62 is held in thedownward position of rotation by engagement with the rearward end of theelongated helical cam rod 78 which projects forwardly from the carriage40. In this position the clips 60 are aligned with the hopper slot 52for receiving a pad 54.

As the piston rod 68 is extended, by operation of the fluid cylinder 70,the resilient pressure of the spring 74 urges the head against the camand permits the head to rotate upward, guided by the cam, until itreaches the position indicated in dash lines. The extent of thisrotation is 135 and, as indicated in FIG. 2 places the protector pad inproper alignment with the lower outboard edge of the package 20 to bestrapped. This rotation occurs outward of the bearing mounting for theconveyor roll 22 before the carriage is moved inward toward the package.Following this rotation the cylinder 70 continues to extend the cliphead 62 to a predetermined position at which the protector pad traversesthe plane of the annular guide groove 24 for the strapping.

The lower end of the upper hopper 44 supports a fluid operated cylinder80, the piston rod 82 of which supports the feed arm 84 which isreciprocated through aligned slots 86 adjacent the bottom of the endwalls of the hopper for ejecting the lowermost protector pad 54forwardly into engagement with the spaced clips 88 carried by the head90. However, in this instance the head is maintained in a fixed positionadjacent the plane of guide groove 24 (FIG. 4) by means of thesupporting arm 92 which is mounted upon the fluid operated cylinder 94.Accordingly, the feed cylinder projects forwardly through the carriage,and that projecting portion of the cylinder supports an elongated guidechannel 96 for the feed arm and protector pad. The guide channel therebyinsures proper feeding of the protector pad from the hopper forwardly tothe clips.

In the retracted position illustrated in full lines in FIG. 2 of thedrawings, the clip head is held in the downward position for receiving aprotector pad between the clips 88, by means of the interengaging pin 98and cam arm 100 mounted, respectively on the head 90 and guide channel96. This position is maintained against the resilience of the coilspring 102 which encircles the pin 104 interconnecting the clip head 90and support arm 92.

By movement of the carriage 40 toward the right in FIG. 2, as explainedmore fully hereinafter, the cam 100 is moved away from the pin 98,whereupon the head 90 rotates to the position illustrated in dash lines.This position of rotation is fixed by abutments properly located on thehead 90 and support arm 92, and the extent of such rotation is 45 It isto be noted in FIG. 2 that, in this position of rotation, the upperoutboard protector pad 54 is oriented properly with relation to theupper outward edge of the package 20 to be strapped, but is yet notmoved into close proximity thereto.

As explained hereinbefore, the upper clip head support arm 92 is mountedupon the cylinder 94. The arm extend through a vertically elongated slot106 (FIG. 5 and 6) in the cylinder guide frame 108 which is mountedslidably upon the upper guide rod 36. The cylinder has an outerrectangular or other non-circular shape, as does the internal opening ofthe guide frame, to prevent rotation of the cylinder.

The piston 110 contained within the cylinder is connected to a pistonrod 112 which extends upwardly through the cylinder and seats in asocket provided in the bracket 114 secured to the guide frame. Thus,upon admission of fluid pressure through the conduit 116 at the bottomof the cylinder, the piston remains stationary and the cylinder isdriven downward. This downward movement of the piston results insimultaneous downward movement of the support arm 92, clip head 90 andprotector pad 54, as explained more fully hereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, it is to be noted that thecarriage 40 is mounted slidably on the upper guide rod 36 by means ofthe spaced bearings 118 and 120 which confine the cylinder guide frame108 therebetween. The assembly of carriage and hoppers is reciprocatedalong the guide rods by means of the attached piston rod 122 which isdriven by means of the cooperating fluid cylinder 124 supported on theupper guide rod by means of the clamp 126. A coil spring 128 isinterposed between the inner bearing 120 and the cylinder guide frame,to urge the latter resiliently toward the outer bearing 118. However, astop 130 projecting from the vertical frame 26 abuts the cylinder guideframe when the carriage is in the fully retracted position illustrated,thereby maintaining the cylinder guide frame adjacent the inner bearing120, against the compression of the spring 128.

When the carriage is moved away from the outboard side of the strappingframe 18, toward the inboard side thereof, by means of actuation of thecylinder 124 the carriage moves toward the right, carrying the hopperswith it. During a portion of this movement the cylinder guide frame 108is maintained in abutment with the stop 130, by means of the spring 123.However, the remaining portion of movement of the carriage, with theouter bearing 118 abutting the cylinder guide frame 108, moves thelatter away from the stop 130 to the position illustrated in FIG. 6.

Movement of the carriage from the position illustrated in FIG. 5 to theposition illustrated in FIG. 6, moves the lower outboard protector pad54 toward the right in FIG. 2 into close proximity with the loweroutboard edge of the package 24 to be strapped. This position is sensedby such means as engagement of the side wall of the package by theactuator arm 132 of microswitch 134 arranged in the circuit of anelectrically actuated valve which controls fluid pressure to thecylinder 124. Consequent movement of the cylinder 94 and guide frame 108from the position illustrated in FIG. 5 to the position illustrated inFIG. 6 moves the upper outboard protector pad toward the right in FIG. 2so that its vertical surface is almost aligned vertically above thevertical outboard side of the package. The cylinder 94 then is actuatedto move the upper. outboard protector pad downward to the package, as,determined by engagement of the upper side of the package by theactuator arm 136 of microswitch 138 arranged in the circuit of anelectrically actuated control valve for cylinder 94. The pads 54 thusare brought to the positions shown in FIG. 3.

Theforegoing sequence of operation of the mechanism associated with thelower and upper outboard protector pads also occurs simultaneously withthe corresponding assemblies associated with the lower and upper inboardprotector pads, whereby protector pads are positioned at the four edgesof the package in the plane of the guide groove 24 for the strapping.Generally, the inboard bottom edge of the package is positioned againsta guide bar located adjacent the inboard side of the guide frame 18.Accordingly, the carriage 40 and pad support assemblies carried therebyneed to be moved outwardly only a short distance. Therefore, thecylinder 124' and piston rod 122' may be much shorter than the outboardcylinder 124 and piston rod 122, t

When the pads are in position the strapping mechanism then is activatedto feed the strapping loop about the package and to tighten and clampthe strapping in conventional manner.

As the strapping is tightened securely about the article, with theprotector elements interposed therebetween, the strapping compresses theunderlying portions of the projecting ribs. Accordingly, the adjacentportions of the ribs, not compressed, define margins which abut the sideedges of the strapping and prevent lateral displacement thereof relativeto the protector elements.

Following completion of the strapping operation, fluid cylinders 94, 94are activated to effect upward retraction of the upper protector padsupport mechanisms. As the clip supporting assembly for each protectorpad is retracted from the pad, which now is secured by the tightenedstrapping, the resilient clips 88, 88' snap upwardly away from theengaging ribs 56. Next, cylinders 124, 124' are activated to retract thecarriages 40, 40'. This retraction results in returning pins 98, 98'into engagement with their respective cams 100 and 100', therebyautomatically returning the upper clip heads 88, 88' to verticalposition for receiving a second protector pad. Finally, cylinders 70, 70are activated to retract the lower protector pad clip heads 62, 62' fromthe secured pads to the positions adjacent the hopper feeds where theyare ready to receive a second pad.

The sequence may also include actuation of the feed cylinders 46, 46',and 80' to eject another protector pad from the respective hoppers tothe associated clip heads. Alternatively, this phase of operation mayinitiate the complete cycle rather than terminate the cycle, as will beapparent.

In FIG. 9 of the drawings there is illustrated a modified form ofsupport head for a protector pad. In this embodiment the head 140comprises a magnet having a V- shaped recess in its forward end,conforming to the outer surface of a V-shaped protector pad 142 made ofmagnetic material, such as steel. A plurality of the protector pads maybe stacked in the hopper and fed therefrom as described hereinbefore.However, upon ejection from the hopper the pad is attracted by themagnet head and supported in proper position within the V-shaped recess.The pad then is conveyed to the appropriate edge of the package to bestrapped, and after the strapping has been tightened the magnet head isretracted against the magnetic force of attraction of the secured pad.

In FIG, 10 the modified form of protector pad illustrated thereincomprises a stip of heavy paper or other suitable material having anintermediate portion 144 forming a right angle V-shaped body. The outerend portions 146 are doubled back upon the body and terminate outwardlyof the apex. In the case of paper, these doubled back end portions maybe secured to the main body by glue 148 applied therebetween inwardly ofthe terminal ends of the outer sections. The supporting head 150includes a pair of outwardly flared clips 152 which are adapted to bereceive slidably in the space between the body 144 and the terminalportions of the outer sections 146, as the pad is ejected from thesupply hopper. After the pad is secured to the package by the encirclingstrapping, the head 150 is retracted simply by pulling the flared clips152 away from the outer sections 146.

The operation of the apparatus described hereinbefore is as follows: Apackage 20 to be strapped is fed into the opening in the strapping guideframe 18, supported upon the spaced rolls 22, and brought to rest at theposition in which it is desired that a reinforcing strapping encirclethe package. The operator then presses a start switch which initiatesthe following sequence: The feed cylinders 46, 46, 80 and 80' for allfour edge protector pads 54 activate simultaneously to eject a pad intotheir associated supporting clip heads. It will be remembered that theupper pads are moved directly from the hoppers into the plane ofstrapping guide groove 24. The feed cylinder 70 and 70' for the loweroutboard and inboard support assemblies then are activated to move thesupported protector pads into the plane of the groove 24. This movementsimultaneously effects rotation of the supporting heads 62 and 62'through 135 to the position illustrated in dash lines in FIG. 2, byvirtue of the helical cam 78. At this point all four protector pads aredisposed in the plane of the strapping guide groove 24, although theyare not yet brought into close proximity with the edges of the packageto be strapped.

The carriage drive cylinders 124 and 124' then are activated to move thecarriages 40 and 40' toward each other. During an initial portion ofthis movement the support heads 90, 90 for the upper protector pads arecaused to rotate through 45", to the position illustrated in dash linesin FIG. 2. When the carriages are moved sufficiently inward so that themicroswitch sensing arms 132 and 132 engage the sidewalls of thepackage, carriage movement is stopped. In this position the lowerprotector pads are disposed adjacent the lower corners of the package,as illustrated in FIG. 3, but the upper pads are still disposedvertically above the package, at the elevation illustrated in FIG. 2.However, the vertical surfaces of the upper pads are disposed closelyadjacent the vertical planes of the sidewalls of the package.

The drive cylinders 94, 94 for the upper support heads 9t), 90' then areactivated to move the upper protector pad-s downward to the uppercorners of the package. Contact of the microswitch arms 136, 136" withthe upper surface of the package efiects stopping of the drive cylindersand, preferably, effects activation of the strapping feed and clampmechanism of the conventional strapping machine. The metal strapping,which may be a flat ribbon or a wire, then is looped and tightened aboutthe package, with the protector pads interposed therebetween, and theends of the strapping loop clamp together, in conventional manner.

Completion of the strapping operation then may initiate retracting ofthe support heads and carriage, in the reverse manner of the feedingprocedure described hereinbefore.

It is evident from the foregoing that the present invention provideseffective means for automatically positioning edge protector pads at theedges of a package in the plane of a strapping loop, preliminary tooperation of a strapping machine. The pad positioning mechanism isreadily adapted for mounting on a variety of types of automaticstrapping machines. Positioning of the pads is accomplished with speedand precision, thereby substantially enhancing the utility of thestrapping machine. Positioning of the pads also is accomplishedautomatically, regardless of the dimensions of the article to bestrapped. The operation of the pad positioning mechanism mayconveniently be integrated with the operation of the strapping machine,whereby to provide a complete automatic cycle of operation.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in the details of construction described hereinbefore, withoutdeparting from the spirit of this invention and the scope of theappended claims.

Having now described my invention and the manner in which it may beused, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. For use with a package strapping machine wherein a length ofstrapping is caused to be looped about the package, apparatus forpositioning an edge protector pad at an edge of a package to be loopedby a strapping, comprising support means for releasably supporting anedge protector pad, means mounting the support means adjacent thestrapping machine for movement between a retracted position away fromthe package to be strapped and in which retracted position the supportmeans is disposed for receiving a pad for releasable support, and anextended position at an edge of the package in the plane of thestrapping loop, a hopper for a plurality of pads, and feed meansoperable to move a pad from the hopper to the support means when thelatter is in retracted position.

2. The apparatus of claim ll including power means engaging the mountingmeans for moving the latter between said retracted and extendedpositions, and power control means movable with the support means andoperable upon engagement with the package to be strapped to stop theextension of the support means when the pad is positioned at the edge ofthe package.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support means comprises clipmeans adapted to releasably engage a pad.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support means comprises magnetmeans adapted to support a magnetic pad.

5. For use with a package strapping machine wherein a length ofstrapping is caused to be looped about the package, apparatus forpositioning an edge protector pad at longitudinally spaced edges of thepackage to be looped t3 by a strapping, comprising support means forreleasably supporting an edge protector pad for each edge, meansmounting one of the support means adjacent the strapping machine formovement between a retracted position away from the package to bestrapped and in which retracted position the support means is disposedfor receiv ing a pad for releasable support, and an extended position atone of the edges of the package in the plane of the strapping loop,means mounting the other support means for movement with the first namedsupport means and for movement between a retracted position away fromthe package to be strapped and in which retracted position the supportmeans is disposed for receiving a pad for releasable support, and anextended position at the other edge of the package in the plane of thestrapping loop, a hopper associated with each support means for storinga plurality of pads, and feed means associated with each hopper andoperable to move a pad from the hopper to the support means when thelatter is in retracted position.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 including power means engaging each mountingmeans for moving the latter between said retracted and extendedpositions, and power control means movable with each support means andoperable upon engagement with the package to be strapped to stop theextension of the associated support means when the pad is positioned atthe edge of the pack-age. I

7. For use with a package strapping machine wherein a length ofstrapping is caused to be looped about the package, apparatus forpositioning an edge protector pad at each edge of the package to belooped by a strapping, comprising support means for releasablysupporting an edge protector pad for each edge, means mounting eachsupport means adjacent the strapping machine for movement between aretracted position away from the package to be strapped and in whichretracted position the support means is disposed for receiving a pad forreleasable support, and an extended position at an edge of the packagein the plane of the strapping loop, power means engaging each mountingmeans for moving the latter between said retracted and extendedpositions, power control means movable with each support means andoperable upon engagement with the package to be strapped to stop theextension of the associated support means when the pad is positioned atthe edge of the package, a hopper associated with each support means forstoring a plurality of pads, and feed means associated with each hopperand operable to move a pad from the hopper to the support means when thelatter is in retracted position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,645,734 10/1927Berry 53l39.3 2,563,542 8/1951 Mackeldufi 53139.3 2,894,308 7/1959Eckstein 24-81 2,950,514 8/1960 Small 24--81 3,003,296 10/1961 Feldkampet a1. 53-198 X 3,019,577 2/1962 Slamar et a1 53-74 3,095,678 7/1963Cliff et al. 53124 FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, BERNARD STICKNEY,

Examiners.

1. FOR USE WITH A PACKAGE STRAPPING MACHINE WHEREIN A LENGTH OFSTRAPPING IS CAUSED TO BE LOOPED ABOUT THE PACKAGE, APPARATUS FORPOSITIONING AN EDGE PROTECTOR PAD AT AN EDGE OF PACKAGE TO BE LOOPED BYA STRAPPING, COMPRISING SUPPORT MEANS FOR RELEASABLY SUPPORTING AN EDGEPROTECTOR PAD, MEANS MOUNTING THE SUPPORT MEANS ADJACENT THE STRAPPINGMACHINE FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A RETRACTED POSITION AWAY FROM THE PACKAGETO BE STRAPPED AND IN WHICH RETRACTED POSITION THE SUPPORT MEANS IS DIS-